Vulnerability

Through participation in the Fisher Leaders program, I have been provided many assessments to help me to understand my leadership style and how others perceive me (“360 feedback”). This gift of information is wonderful to have to understand how I can improve. I confess that it has been difficult to integrate that feedback into my life. It seems as though, almost daily, I realize how my leadership needs improve. Sometimes it feels like I am stumbling around with respect to leading.

Leadership development is difficult. I grossly underestimated the emotional impact that the leadership development would have on me. I confess that I had a hard time keeping up with blogging last semester because of the emotional turmoil through this growth process.

One of the greatest benefits of all of this struggle is the improved relationship with my family and friends. Before learning about leadership, I internalized quite a bit and neglected to share things with people, because I thought that they already had enough to deal with and felt like I would be adding to the troubles. The Fisher Leaders program has helped me to understand the importance and necessity to share experiences with the people I care for and that the best decisions in life are “we-based” ones.

It has been very difficult to consider so many new elements in my life. Hearing where I need improvements, learning a new job, reconciling emotions, and sharing my feelings more with others is helping me to grow. It is truly encouraging to learn and practice all of these things in a safe context (in school, work, and with my peers). Although not desirable, it is okay to make errors here without long-lasting damage. Developing my skills in these safe environments has helped me prepare for after graduation, where I will have greater accountability from more people.